Itchen Navigation
Itchen Navigation Project - TrustNews Mar 11
The Itchen Navigation towpath provides a footpath which gives wonderful access to the banks of the Itchen for us all.
So, what is a navigation? A canal is a completely new cut, whereas a navigation is an improved river, made by using and improving the river and digging new cuts. The Itchen Navigation runs from Wharf Bridge in Winchester to Woodmill in Southampton, a distance of about 17 km (10˝ miles) and was constructed in the late 17th century, mainly to transport coal and other goods from Southampton to Winchester. Barge owners paid a toll to the owners of the Navigation and the tolls helped maintain the locks and banks. Partly owing to competition from the railway, the last barge travelled in 1869.
By the early years of this century, although the Navigation was becoming a great place for wildlife, water was leaking through the banks and the footpaths were being worn away and flooded. The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is leading a five year conservation project on behalf of a wider partnership including the Environment Agency, Natural England, the Inland Waterways Association and local councils. The Heritage Lottery Fund are providing two-thirds of the project funding with partner organisations and public donations making up the balance.
In selected areas the project team is repairing the banks and improving the footpath. The end result will be stable riverbanks, conservation and enhancement of important wildlife habitats, a better footpath and more information for the local community about why the Itchen Navigation is so special in terms of wildlife, history and recreation.
The project has completed bank engineering works in several areas, including Brambridge-Allbrook and Shawford. At the time of writing, the path between Hockley and Twyford Meads is closed for work. A wildlife-friendly approach called ‘bioengineering’ is being used with great success. The banks are built up with chalk and vegetation is transplanted to the front, held in place with bundles of hazel (called faggots). Once established, the vegetation protects the bank from erosion as well as providing a nesting area for water birds, food for water voles, and a place for insects and small fish to live. You can observe the plants establishing along the banks at Shawford, Brambridge and Allbrook.
Work has been carried out to uncover and preserve some of the major locks along the Navigation, including Mansbridge and St Catherine’s Locks. Four new milestones designed by artist Abigail Downer have been installed (at Mansbridge, Stoke Lock, Shawford and Garnier Road) to commemorate the charging of the tolls on the Navigation.
For more information about the history of the Navigation, the project and events or if you would like to get involved, visit www.itchennavigation.org.uk or contact the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust on 01489 774400.